Fortify your immune system: Winter herb edition

When the harsh winter hits, the last thing we want is to be ill with snot dripping down your nose. That’s why everyone should do their best to prevent illness and keep warm. Aside from dressing in layers to shield your delicate body from the chilling weather, drinking herbal teas will give your immunity a boost and fend you off from evil viruses that causes sneezing and coughing.

Thyme: is an all natural expectorant with will help you cough more “efficiently” and “productively,” loosening and clearing the mucus in your lungs, helping you get better soon.

• For a thyme tea: Steep approximately two tablespoons of dried thyme leaves in approximately 250 mL of boiling water for 10 minutes. Adding lime/lemon and honey may help the tea taste better! CAUTION: EXTREME HOT LIQUID.
• For a thyme hot bath: Steep approximately four tablespoons of dried thyme leaves or four drops thyme essence oil into a hot water bath. The inhalation of steam is also an effect way to loosen the mucus in your lungs.

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Licorice Root: Contains a compound called glycyrrhizin that possesses potent antiviral effects against serious viral inflections such as HIV, SARS and even strains of the Avian Flu. As a result, it is an effective way to prevent and treat a common viral flu.

Licorice Root Tea: Shave three to five thin slices of licorice root and steep it in boiling water.

IMPORTANT: Licorice root should not be replace with licorice flavored candy because most licorice candies are made of anise seed, which has a similar flavor but a much lower cost.

Garlic: is proven by scientists for boosting your immune system. It is proven that an individual who chews on one clove of garlic each day is more immune to various strains of rhinovirus which are the cause of a common cold.

Chewing method: Chew a clove of fresh garlic. If the taste is too strong, grind the garlic and mix in honey.

Due to the fact that garlic results in foul breathe, supplements can be taken in place of the herb to eliminate the smell.

Echinacea: According to article in the Journal of the National Medical Association, Echinacea has the effect of preventing the colds and flu (if taken in conjunction with garlic supplement) and shortening the duration of flu symptoms.

Quick tip: Instead of drinking echinacea tea, take 1000 mg of echinacea supplements three times a day. It is because although echinacea tea has echinacea in it, they do not tell you the amount of the herb is in the tea bag. Remember, individual who are allergic to ragweed or pollen may be allergic to echinacea.

Elderberry Extract: A botanical which helps with flu(fights up to 10 strains) and cold symptoms, shortening the duration of symptoms about as much as four days.

Supplements for elderberry extracts can be found in liquid form and added into with hot water with honey to make tea.

Reference:

http://www.organicgardening.com/living/stay-healthy-5-essential-herbs?page=0,4